Many aggregates operations practice simple and successful reclamation by forming the land and planting vegetation, such as at this Holmes Limestone Co. site near Walnut Creek, Ohio.

Following a strategic session on the topic, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association's (NSSGA) board of directors unanimously approved new Sustainability Guiding Principles at its last summer meeting in Stowe, Vt. These guiding principles, developed by a multi-divisional task force, define sustainability for the aggregates industry as a business approach that integrates environmental, social and economic aspects to ensure the long-term supply of aggregate materials to society. The board further recognized that sustainability is a developing issue in the markets where NSSGA members operate and sustainable practices in the industry are necessary today to preserve the potential for a high quality life for future generations.

NSSGA's Sustainability Guiding Principles address the three pillars of sustainability — environmental, social and economic — in the mining life cycle context of an aggregates operation. Overarching practices describe, among others, the commitment of the industry to reinvest in the communities in which it operates, to adhere to the highest ethical business standards, to minimize life cycle impacts, and to demonstrate a strong and unwavering commitment to safety, health and the environment at all operations. The guiding principles also encourage specific sustainable practices during the planning, operational and closure phases of the life of an aggregates operation.

Lastly, the document describes the business case for implementing sustainability practices. Public resource agencies are now implementing frameworks based on sustainable development. NSSGA member companies will increase their abilities to compete effectively by implementing the guiding principles. These guidelines emphasize the efficient use of resources, which reduces costs and contributes to profitability. Implementing sustainability guidelines will help to coordinate and improve the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary programs such as community relations, environment, safety and health, operations, and legal at NSSGA member companies.

Take note

NSSGA President and CEO Joy Wilson said of the board's adoption of the principles: "The long-term viability of the aggregates industry is dependent on obtaining and maintaining a social license to operate. These licenses are based on discretionary decisions by local government bodies that are heavily influenced by political and public opinion. NSSGA member companies will enhance their ability to obtain these licenses when applying NSSGA's Sustainability Guiding Principles."

Through 2007, NSSGA analyzed implementation suggestions from the board's strategic workshop and will continue to educate the industry about sustainability and the new guiding principles with an eye towards developing an implementation plan, obtaining industry case studies and possibly developing an annual report of industry metrics in the coming years.

Sustainability Guiding Principles

The members of the NSSGA identify sustainability as a business approach that integrates environmental, social and economic aspects to ensure the long-term supply of aggregate materials to society. NSSGA recognizes that sustainable practices are necessary today to preserve the potential for a quality life for future generations.

Overarching practices

• NSSGA members sustain the communities in which we operate by providing raw materials as natural building blocks for quality of life.
• We are conscious of the need to provide economic, social and environmental value for future generations, and the communities in which we operate.
• We demonstrate a strong and unwavering commitment to safety, health and the environment at our operations.
• We work with appropriate government bodies to establish effective, responsible and balanced laws and other requirements based on sound science.
• We encourage life cycle re-use of products during manufacturing and post-consumer use.
• We maintain adequate aggregate resources in locations that minimize the life-cycle impacts of the resource's extraction, delivery and use.
• We encourage proper land-use development and planning within communities to ensure long-term aggregate resource availability.
• We adhere to the highest ethical business practices and transparency in all aspects of our operations.
• We recognize that profitability is essential to a sustainable industry and its continued ability to contribute to communities.